[13.02] X-Ray Structure of Lensing Clusters

J. Houck, D. Davis, M. Wise (MIT)

Clusters of galaxies sample rare peaks in the primordial
matter distribution and, because their evolution is
sensitive to the underlying cosmology, accurate cluster mass
measurements can place strong constraints on cosmological
models. We present preliminary results from recent
Chandra/ACIS imaging observations of two distant clusters,
A2219 (z = 0.228) and A2104 (z = 0.155), which also show
evidence for gravitational lensing. Using these data, we
estimate cluster masses and provide constraints on the
matter distribution in the cluster cores which may be
compared with the results obtained from published
observations of gravitational lensing.

Support for this work was provided by NASA through Chandra
Award Number GO0-1122X issued by the Chandra X-Ray
Observatory Center, which is operated by SAO on behalf of
NASA under contract NAS8-39073.